King's Garden/CRISTA has been a major part of my life
since 1951 when I came to King's as a sixth grade student, never dreaming
I would come back in 1987 and serve as CRISTA President. I owe a debt to
Mike and Vivian Martin, and all who have faithfully served the Lord here.
We have had the joy of seeing thousands come to faith in Christ through ten
different ministries. I thank those who have served in the early years and
all whom I have had the joy of serving with in recent years. What a delight
it is to echo the words of Jesus to Paul in Acts 26:18: "I'm sending you
off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between
dark and light, and choose light. See the difference between Satan and God,
and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven,
inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing
in me."

Foreword

Jim Gwinn knows that people's real life journeys make
compelling stories. In these pages you will meet your family, your friend
perhaps even yourself. Around the corner of tomorrow lie surprises, some
pleasant, some tragic-for all of us. The difference is knowing God through
Christ or facing life alone. The people you'll meet help us learn how to
cope when our time comes. They will teach you to "do today" and not waste
energy "doing tomorrow" or "doing yesterday." They will show you how to hold
your head up high instead of "going home and hiding under the bed." They
will bolster your faith in the unyielding faithfulness of God. Enjoy the
timeless lesson of each life and learn, as they did, to lean on God. He will
not fall over!

Jill Briscoe, LLD

Elmbrook Church

Brookfield, Wisconsin

Acknowledgement

Mark Cutshall is a beloved brother in Christ and master
story teller. I have had the joy of reading many of Mark's 90-second devotional
thoughts on CRISTA radio for many years. He always challenges me and all
who listen. I also thank those who have allowed us to share their story and
result of A Life Well Lived. My prayer is that as Mark has captured
the heart of each of these remarkable individuals, the Lord will say to you,
"I can use you for my glory also."

Do you believe there's more to life than the deadlines, concerns
and to-do lists you woke up to this morning?

Consider this:

Before today is over, a word of encouragement to someone
else, an overdue phone call, a simple prayer, or a difficult decision you
make will help shape the destiny and purpose of another person's
life.

The impact will not be felt merely over this week
or throughout the coming months, but rather for years to come and beyond.
The transformation I'm talking about  the life-altering reality you
can bring about  can change a person's life for eternity. And not just
one person, but perhaps a community, or the entire world.

By experiencing the Lord's living power and presence,
love and acceptance, purposes and plans alive in you  a person,
a family, a community, a nation and, yes, even the world will never be the
same.

The living proof is in your hands, 52 remarkable stories
of hope, faith, promise and pain. Their stories reveal that the "well-lived
life" is a legacy of prayer, learning, service, faith and joy.

At the heart of their stories, and yours, is a promise
from the Bible:

Before you were born I set you apart

for a special work.

Jeremiah 1:5

The truth of God's message to Jeremiah was true for
Mike Martin. In the late 1940's, this Seattle businessman and his wife, Vivian,
discovered the vacant Firlands Sanitarium, a 52-acre facility in north Seattle.
Inspired by the prophet Joshua, the Martins took off their shoes and walked
the circumference of the property, claiming the property for the Lord. Their
shared vision and prayers of many soon culminated in a community-wide hearing
and "sealed-envelope auction" in which Mike and Vivian's bid of one dollar
over the starting bid of $100,000 secured the purchase of the Firlands property
and the new ministry they called King's Garden.

What began as a Christian school has, in the past
50-plus years, grown into CRISTA Ministries, a multi-ministry organization
touching the lives of children, youth, adults and seniors. CRISTA Ministries
is a gateway, an intersection of faith and life for each of the inspiring
people you'll meet in this book.

I had the privilege of growing up at this new ministry
called King's Garden. I enrolled as a sixth grader in 1951 and graduated
from high school in 1958. I remember Mike and Vivian Martin along with many
of the pioneer workers who gave of their lives, time and talent. Today, more
than 50 years after its founding, King's Garden, now known as CRISTA Ministries,
has continued to bring hope and life to thousands through a multitude of
ways. Serving as President of CRISTA Ministries since 1987 has enabled me
to appreciate anew the faith and work done by so many for so
long.

The great evangelist D.L. Moody once heard Henry Varley
say, "The world has yet to see what God can do through one life fully dedicated
to Him." Moody said, "I will be that person."

My hope and prayer is that these unforgettable individuals
will inspire you to echo Moody's words and experience a life well
lived.

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads
 with your career, your
family, your education  and wondered, "Where do I go from here?" David
Voetmann did. So did Florence Turnidge and Kristen Tremaine and each of the
other remarkable people you're about to meet. Their stories will inspire
you. Their choices will surprise you. Their hope may even change the way
you live.

"The individual stories in this book never
end and they all point back to the power and preference of God manifesting
His grace and glory in the lives of His people.

As President of
CRISTA Ministries from 1987-2005, Jim
Gwinn enjoyed the privilege of serving alongside extraordinary everyday
people whose lives exemplify "bringing hope to life and loving others to
Christ."